ARTICLES ABOUT CANAL STREET BY DATE - PAGE 4

High-tech traffic signals that use high-frequency radio waves to count cars and then adjust the length of the light cycles would help relieve congestion on the Thomas McCall Bridge at Route 248. The signals are emerging as the most feasible way to deal with increased traffic expected to result from a new Wal-Mart Super Center proposed a few miles up Route 443 in Mahoning Township. Wal-Mart has offered to help pay for the improvements, said engineer Harold H. Newton Jr. Among the prerequisites for a highway occupancy permit is that the company must "address" potential traffic problems, said state Department of Transportation engineer Dennis R. Toomey.

Thomas J. Ackerknecht, 77 years of age, of 113 Canal Street, Walnutport, died Saturday, April 9 in his residence. Born in Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Earl and Dorothy (Ripkey) Ackerknecht. He worked for Fairless Steel Mill. He served in the Army as a private first class during World War II. Survivors: He is survived by a son, Thomas L. and his wife, Connie, of Lansford; daughter, Linda Schlicher of Walnutport; beloved grandchildren, Jennifer Schlicher, Crystal Ackerknecht and Dennis Schlicher; sisters, Leola Sissy Cadugan of Jim Thorpe and Patricia Cecala of Whitehall.

Nearly $800,000 in state and federal grants Easton received since 1998 to rebuild Canal Street, construct a bike path downtown and beautify the 13th Street entrance to the city will finally be spent this year. Easton Mayor Phil Mitman called a news conference Thursday to warn motorists and residents about potential traffic tie-ups on the South Side and College Hill this summer, including the state's proposed resurfacing of Cattell Street from the base of College Hill north to Stockertown.

Deborah K. Hettler, 49, of Canal Street, Lehighton, died early Sunday morning in Franklin Township. She was the widow of the late Donald B. Hettler Sr., who passed away in 1999. Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of Harvey F. and Delores J. (Hawk) Reph of Franklin Township. Deborah worked as a waitress for Bowmanstown Diner. Previously, she worked in the same capacity for the 443 Diner, Lehighton and the Hickory House, Hickory Run State Park. She also worked for Jim Thorpe Market and the Route 443 Texaco Station.

Eight years after Easton officials proposed rebuilding Canal Street and almost losing the federal money for the $650,000 project two years ago, it looks like the work finally will be done this year. Public Services Director David Hopkins told City Council on Wednesday that its vote to approve right of way access agreements with Norfolk Southern Railway was the last approval needed to advertise for construction bids in April. The reconstruction of Canal Street has been a long-awaited project for South Side residents like City Councilman Ken Brown who regularly ride the bumpy road.

A man who wrested control of a car while his wife was driving and caused a crash in South Side Easton -- while his 7-year-old daughter and a pregnant woman were in the back seat -- will spend up to six years in state prison. Jorge Luis Flores Morales, 26, who has no known address and is in the United States illegally from Mexico, will be turned over to immigration officials upon his release. Northampton County Judge Edward G. Smith on Tuesday imposed the 21/2- to six-year sentence and said he wants Flores Morales to be deported upon his parole.

The Northampton Area Food Bank could finally have a home for its proposed 2,500-square-foot building by mid-January, when borough and school district officials are expected to approve leases for two parcels along Canal Street. After months of debate over the ownership of one of the tracts, Borough Manager Gene Zarayko said the borough and district are "in agreement" to lease the two lots to the food bank. "We're ready to turn it over, whenever the district is ready," Zarayko said of the borough's lot. School board President Richard Zuercher said the board will vote on leasing its lot to the food bank at the Jan. 17 board meeting, and the measure will "more than likely pass."

A 40-year-old clerical error that has stalled construction of a new home for the Northampton Food Bank and left ownership of a tract of Northampton property up in the air is close to being resolved. Northampton Area School District officials said Monday that lawyers for the school district and the borough both agreed that the third of an acre at 16th and Canal streets, which had been claimed by both sides, legally belongs to the school district. But now that the district officially owns the property, the borough, which has been taking care of the property for more than 40 years, wants it deeded back.

Two men who admitted they severely beat a 62-year-old doorman at a private South Side Easton club after a shooting were sent to Northampton County Prison on Tuesday -- with a warning that they'll go to state prison if they hurt anyone else. Through a plea agreement, Seneca Rogers and Tayness Cooley, both of Easton, pleaded guilty Tuesday to simple assault and conspiracy for the Easter Sunday attack on Curtis Lockhart, doorman at the Paradise Club along Canal Street. Northampton County Judge Stephen G. Baratta sentenced the men to two to 23 months in the county prison and to serve probation for one year.

Charged -- Kweku A. Abrokwah, 24, last known address 350 W. Lincoln St.; Sunday with accident involving death or personal injury, driving without license and speeding; police said his vehicle rear-ended car at Smith Avenue near Canal Street and two people were hospitalized; did not have proper identification and had expired visitor's visa from Ghana, police said; sent to Northampton County Prison under $5,000 bail.